STATCOUNTER

How was your Halloween?

And what are you doing for Thanksgiving? And New Year’s? Of course, I am not asking about your social life. Rather, I am talking about your marketing efforts. Did you do a “Trick or Treat event? Print personalized candy wrappers? Mail out M&M’s with your logo? Tweet a clever, topical message?

Good for you if you did anything that tied into a holiday. That puts you ahead of many other marketers. But the problem is that it puts you into what is still a rather huge assemblage. The many marketing folk that use red-letter days on their calendars as the spark for a relevant message.

Better than not doing anything? Positively. But the real game changer is thinking outside the traditional. Sure, it is riskier and way outside most people’s comfort level. But with the gamble comes the possibility that it can be more memorable.

Think about it this way. This Thanksgiving, you can serve turkey. And on the side mashed sweet potatoes with or without the predictable marshmallow topping.

Traditional. Comforting. And usually quite yummy. (Though if turkey is truly so enjoyable, why do we usually serve it only once a year?) But let’s use the turkey dinner as a guide for your marketing. You can simply prepare a turkey and everyone—except the vegetarians—will be fine with that.

Next step up is to get people’s attention with an unusual, non-traditional side dish. Chopped liver or sauerkraut. Or, to make a really bold statement, skip the turkey and serve venison, or lamb, or fish baked in foil.

The important thing is that you have to be comfortable with your choice of exactly how far you are willing to go. And, as with your marketing targets, you should have a feeling for how your family and friends will react to unexpected activities.

So Trick. Or treat. Safe. Or bold. Surprise. Or expected. It’s your choice.